Farmer gets double life term for assault, murder of 8-yr-old

The incident took place in May 2014, when the victim, a resident of Vennivedu Mottur near Walajahpet, visited her grandmother’s house in Perumal Rajapet near Arakkonam. The girl was playing near a temple when she suddenly went missing.

As she could not be traced despite searching in several places, her family registered a missing complaint with the Arakkonam Taluk police. Even as police continued with their inquiries, the girl’s body was found in a well on the Tiruttani Road.

Police on recovering the body noticed that the girl’s ear rings were missing. They also found evidences of her being subject to sexual molestation. The police then changed the missing case to murder and started their investigations.

Meanwhile, Karthikeyan, a farmer of the same locality, on whom suspicion fell, surrendered before the local VAO. He confessed to enticing the girl by offering to buy her an ice cream. He then sexually assaulted the minor and killed her when she started to scream. 

Karthikeyan also admitted that he stole the girl’s ear rings and pledged them with a local pawn broker before returning home.

After hearing arguments on both sides, judge Selvam awarded double life terms to Karthikeyan and fined him Rs 6,000.

The sentences were to run concurrently. He also ordered that the fine amount be given to the girl’s parents.

Observing that the amount was not enough, Selvam ordered the district collector to provide Rs 5 lakh to the victim’s family from the funds meant for victims of such crimes.